Urban Decay Bondage Weightless Makeup Adhesive ($14.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is described as a “clear, water-based adhesive [that] sets and holds glitter.” It’s supposed to help the brand’s new Heavy Metal Loose Glitter apply “for a full-on jewel-encrusted effect that lasts all day (with very little fallout).” It’s a good thing they added that little bit “with very little fallout,” because I tried two different shades of the new glitters on top of the adhesive, and there was still some fall out. It seemed like one or two glitter particles fell per hour, but in general, the glitter adhered well and was comfortable to wear over the adhesive. The consistency is very much weightless, and it doesn’t feel tacky or thick, so it’s easy to spread across the lid, but I found you needed a fair amount of it on the skin if you wanted a solid glitter effect. If I spread out the adhesive, the glitter tended to apply in a sheer, sparse layer. The adhesive definitely breaks down easily with water, though getting all the bits of glitter off is a different story (more on that below).

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Loose Glitter ($12.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as an “easy-to-use loose glitter.” Each shade had the same instructions included on a separate pamphlet in the box, which said to lay down a layer of their adhesive first, then with fingertips or brushes, apply the glitter. I didn’t like using fingertips, because the majority of the glitter stuck to my finger and only a smattering adhered to the lid.

The jar has a plastic sifter that is level with the top of the jar, so you have to tap out the glitter into the lid, which makes closing it a glittery mess. I wish the sifter was dropped, so that there was a couple millimeters of space for the glitter to sit on top of the sifter but still inside the jar. When I used a brush, a lot of the glitter didn’t stick to my brush–there is a very small window of how you make the journey from jar to eyelid and keeping your brush just so, and then patting it on the lid and hoping that most of it sticks to the lid. I had three or four times the amount of glitter underneath my lid as on it unless I really slathered on the adhesive, and I had to put adhesive straight onto the brush, too.

The included instructions said to brush away any excess during application, and while those glitters might not stay on the lid on their own, they weren’t easy to remove them from the skin. I tried several different methods, but I ended up resorting to tape. Urban Decay’s loose glitters aren’t really any more difficult or easier to use than most loose glitters available–they’re simply not an improvement on the status quo. With the particle size of these, I prefer using something like Lit Cosmetics’ adhesive base, because I can easily apply it to the lid and my brush to really minimize the fall out during application and get a much more glitter to adhere at once.

ACDC is described as a “bright purple glitter.” It’s a medium, cool-toned purple glitter.

99 Comments

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I’m kind of disappointed. I love, love, love glitter and was really looking forward to these. I know the pictures are close up but these glitters just look way too chunky. 🙁 I’m going to have to check them out in person. I’ll probably pass though since the colours aren’t all that unique either.

They look chunky even on my lid (which is a bit further out) – you can compare to say Lit Cosmetics, which is finer, and see that one looks like legit particles of glitter, one is more of a haze of sparkle, you know?

These are a total miss for me. I love working with MUFE or MAC glitters, I’m just surprised that UD didn’t put more (much more) thought into this product. I’m pretty disappointed both in the chunky granularity as well as the horrible shake-out product design. Ugh.

Sorry U.D., but this product seriously resembles craft/hobby glitter that I used a decade ago in second grade. While the colors are pretty and the concept is nice, I cannot foresee myself using or suggesting this to anyone.

I love the colours, but I just don’t like the look of chunky glitter on the eye. Lise Watier, a Canadian make-up brand, offers a product called Duo Shadow and Glitter. It comes with the base in the colour of the glitter, then you place the glitter over the base. The look is amazing and so beautiful.

Oooh, I like the whole concept of this. When I was a lot younger I used to wear glitter eyelids – I would use stiff hair gel and craft glitter. The hair gel actually worked well and I got a similar result to your photo. I’m not sure if I want to shell out $12 a glitter though – I’m convinced there is no difference between “makeup” glitter and fine crafting glitter. Do you know if there is a difference, Christine?

I just did a St pattys day look using cheap LA Spash glitter glue over a green eyeshadow base. The green glitter came in a pack of about 50 nail glitters for like 10 bucks – probably not “eye safe” but I don’t care what the label says – putting chunks of anything near your eyes is never eye safe. Little to no fallout, and the glitter was much less chunky than this overpriced stuff.

THAT GLITTER IS HUGE! Sequin-y, craft-store-looking glitter. I’d be concerned with putting that on my eyes. x_x Seems like it would hurt/be more noticeable if you got even a little in your eye; the finer cosmetic glitters, I don’t notice them if I get in my eyes.

One solution to the sheer issue (since it’s merely glitter) would be to use eyeshadow as a base in a similar or semi-matching color. Maybe the Bondage adhesive can work with glittery eyeshadows, like Too Faced’s Glitter Glue or Fyrinnae’s Pixie Epoxy.

I hope it’s not irritating. I find with any glitter adhesive, you’ll have at least *a little* fallout since there will be glitter that doesn’t catch the adhesive. Since it also tends to apply a little bit sparse, you have to layer and pat.XP

I find the best brush for glitters is the NAKED1 shadow brush, picks up glitter like a pro and makes patting it easy.

Seeing as I’m on the cusp of heading into my twilight years and can’t think of any occasion to wear it to/for without looking, well, a bit sad, I think as pretty as they may be, I’m gonna have to pass on these. I kind of think that even if was young enough to pull the glittery look off, this stuff would drive me mad and knowing my luck the fall out from my eyes would end up in places that would look embarrassing (nostrils, top lip to name a few !).

These seem like something that would’ve been perfect for ravers in the 90s. I don’t wear that much glitter anyway but goodness! I don’t think I would wear these anywhere. I could see these being used for holiday parties. Festive!

The Glossover is for color cosmetics in general, so something like the Bondage Adhesive wouldn’t be rated (like pigmentation makes no sense really!), and for glitters, they don’t have any “performance” metrics on their own – like they’re specifically designed to be used with the adhesive, so on their own, they don’t have any longevity, pigmentation, etc. I don’t rate glitters (you can see I haven’t rated these in the past as well) unless it’s something that’s a standalone product (like glitter eyeliner). Similarly, I don’t rate makeup brushes, makeup bags, skin care, tools, etc.

I’m just curious if these state anything about not being safe for the eye area? I don’t see any difference between these and MAC Glitters, however MAC always has the warning on glitter. I personally ignore the warning anyway! (I realize this is a silly question, I’m just curious!) Thanks for the amazing review and breakdown, as always!

No, it didn’t have any warnings that I could find! I would have definitely included it if I had found one (I don’t think it’s a silly question at all – unsafe glitter can cause long-term, permanent damage to the eye!)

It seems to me that the actual glitter molecules themselves are too chunky for my liking. As a metal enthusiast and knowing myself, i will probably end up buying acdc to just try out but other than that im not very impressed. With the bondage glue however, i am wanting to try it. It has a lovely price point and I really appreciate the packaging, it looks like its not as prone to mess as other glitter adhesives are.

I feel like an easier way to get the same effect (with maybe a slightly less chunky glitter look) is to use UD’s glitter liquid liner. I have Half Baked and when I want some glitter, I apply it all over the lid. I would be afraid the big, chunk glitter like the loose powder would be an irritant to the eyes. Maybe I’m wrong however?

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